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Master Each Challenge: Understanding the ACFT Events and Scoring System
Unlock your potential with our guide to the ACFT scoring system. Tailored to your Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), the test categorizes soldiers into three physical demand categories: Heavy (Black), Significant (Gray), and Moderate (Gold). Stay informed and strive for excellence with our latest update as of April 2023.
Heavy (Black) Standard
- Minimum Score: 440 points
- Per Event: At least 70 points
Significant (Gray) Standard
- Minimum Score: 440 points
- Per Event: At least 65 points
Moderate (Gold) Standard
- Minimum Score: 360 points
- Per Event: At least 60 points
The total maximum points possible for the ACFT is 600, with each of the six events worth up to 100 points. Soldiers must meet or exceed the minimum score for their MOS category to pass the ACFT.
Repetition Maximum Deadlift (MDL)
Description: The Maximum Deadlift is a critical assessment of your overall muscular strength, focusing on the lower body, grip, and core. This event is pivotal in preparing soldiers to handle physically demanding tasks while minimizing the risk of injuries to the hip, knee, and lower back.
Action: Soldiers are required to execute three maximum weight deadlifts, emphasizing correct form to maximize strength and safety.
Equipment: A standard 60-pound weightlifting hex bar and plates are used.
Standing Power Throw (SPT)
Description: The Standing Power Throw evaluates explosive power and the ability to generate quick movements. This event is a testament to a soldier’s dynamic strength and involves coordination, balance, and flexibility, primarily focusing on the upper and lower body.
Action: Soldiers perform a backward and overhead throw of the medicine ball, measuring the distance achieved for scoring.
Equipment: A 10-pound medicine ball.
Sprint / Drag / Carry (SDC)
Description: The SDC is a composite event that assesses muscular endurance, strength, anaerobic power, and endurance. It also tests a soldier’s balance, coordination, agility, flexibility, and reaction time.
Action: The event comprises 5 x 50-meter (164 ft) shuttles, each involving different activities like sprinting, dragging, lateral movement, carrying, and sprinting again.
Equipment: Includes sleds for dragging and kettlebells for carrying.
Plank (PLK)
Description: The Plank event is a straightforward yet challenging test of core strength and endurance. It also assesses balance, making it a fundamental component of a soldier’s fitness regime.
Action: Soldiers are required to maintain a proper plank position for as long as possible, showcasing core strength and endurance.
Equipment: No equipment needed.
Two-Mile Run (2MR)
Description: The Two-Mile Run is the ultimate test of aerobic endurance. This event gauges a soldier’s ability to sustain long periods of physical activity and recover quickly during repetitive tasks.
Action: Soldiers run two miles, with the time taken being the key metric for assessment.
Equipment: No specific equipment needed, performed on a measured, generally flat outdoor course.
Frquently Asked Questions
ACFT 3.0 represents the latest evolution of the Army Combat Fitness Test, introduced in April 2021. This iteration incorporates key changes based on soldier feedback and an independent RAND Corporation assessment. The most significant updates include gender-normed scoring standards, the 2.5-mile walk as an alternate aerobic event, and the plank as the sole core-strength event, replacing the leg tuck. .
Absolutely. The ACFT is the official physical fitness assessment for all soldiers, having replaced the long-standing Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) in October 2020. This comprehensive evaluation better prepares troops for the rigors of modern combat and aims to reduce preventable injuries.
Without a doubt. Unlike the APFT’s standardized push-ups, sit-ups, and running, the ACFT’s events like the deadlift, hand-release push-ups, and sprint-drag-carry mimic real combat scenarios. These functional movements, coupled with stricter scoring standards, make the ACFT a formidable challenge even for the fittest soldiers.
The ACFT was crafted to forge soldiers who are not just fit, but battle-ready. It focuses on functional fitness, preparing troops for the real, gritty demands of combat, from sprinting to aid a comrade under fire to dragging them to safety. This approach enhances both physical conditioning and mental resilience, crucial for modern warfare.
The ACFT’s primary purpose is to ensure soldiers are battle-ready and resilient. It pushes troops to their limits with a variety of tests that measure strength, endurance, and agility, mirroring the physical demands of combat. This comprehensive approach marks a significant shift from the APFT’s focus on aerobic endurance.
The U.S. Army has officially transitioned to the ACFT as its standard for assessing physical fitness, replacing the APFT. This shift reflects a significant evolution in the Army’s approach to physical training and readiness, better evaluating a soldier’s combat readiness.
